Winnipeg Council Passes Operating and Capital Budgets

Winnipeg council approved the operating and capital budgets Tuesday but not without some controversy.

The capital budget, which looks at things like roads and infrastructure, passed 11-5. The operating budget, which focuses on services and employees, passed 9-7.

The budget includes a 2.95 per cent property tax increase, which Finance Chair and Councillor Russ Wyatt called “low.”

Other highlights of the budget include:

$35.3 million for street, sidewalk and back lane repair

$1.7 million for repairs to Sherbrook Pool

An increase of $300,000 to the budget for library materials to a total of just over $3 million

A new aboriginal youth training program

“Fixing our streets is our citizens’ top priority and this budget includes a long-term plan to repair our local streets, back lanes and sidewalks, and a new plan for regional streets,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “The budget also places increased emphasis on providing quality parks and recreation spaces throughout our City, while finding ways to keep our taxes among the lowest among major Canadian cities.”